To the Rovers Return where Jenny is facing facts; the changes in lifestyle are disastrous for the little local boozer; the margins are very tight, the punters getting fewer and costs are rising rapidly. And going mean on meat does nothing for your reputation. Jenny tries all the tricks, 50p on a pint, £10 extra rent for Glenda, halving the shifts of all the staff and the gap gets no closer, not helped when the less-regular regulars of yesteryear head along to the back yard of Number 3 for darts and supermarket booze. Needless to say Jenny can hear them and they all get banned - including Sean - whose darts playing is decidedly dangerous. Even Daisy tells Jenny to sell up to the brewery and whilst Jenny makes contact with the boss his view is that they are planning on selling pubs - not buying. Sean and Glenda talk Jenny into a big push on Monday evening when Philip Newton (not Henry) will be coming to see if there is any potential. Apparently the King's Head and the Station are no more and the Flying Horse is about to take a dive. They make plans to get the punters in on Monday - or will it be the Night the Rovers Died?
Sarah has yet to tell Harry and Gail is providing support to Sarah during this difficult time. Gail feels that Adam could have timed his request for a divorce rather better as she explains to Ken in the Street - whilst Ken explains in reply that maybe Sarah should not have had an affair in the first place. Honours even I reckon. Sarah herself is more realistic - she and Adam chat and she accepts that she was at fault and that the best solution is to sign the papers and move on. Adam wants to continue to be a father to Harry and together they tell the little boy that there will be no baby - but not that they are splitting up yet. Gail denies the fall out with Ken - being minor compared with the ding dongs with that Grimshaw woman but Sarah explains that they need to accept reality.
Stu is concerned that Yasmeen and Roy might be enjoying more than mere friendship and is feeling excluded when another jolly is being discussed as Yasmeen recalls her historic interest in art - but many years ago before life intervened. Alya seeks to work some magic and talks Stu into arranging an art class for two. Yasmeen grabs the wrong end of the stick thinking it is for her to take Roy - until Alya explains that it was intended for Stu and Yasmeen to spend time together. Problem unravelled, Yasmeen decides the solution is for the art event to be in the living room - her behind the easel and Stu in the altogether as her subject. Eliza later sees the picture and feels that Stu should be wearing a jacket which does not need ironing! Then Eliza's phone goes - she claims it is Harriet but when she gets in the garden we see her talking to a middle-aged man - and she obviously does not want Stu to know about it or overhear the call - maybe someone she has met at the holiday club?
Gemma admits to Chesney that she is working for Newton & Ridley but she will not be seeing Henry Newton and indeed he is not involved with the cider line she is launching. Needless to say Henry turns up to collect Gemma and Chesney sees Gemma getting in his car - so he promptly dives into a deep pool of depression over her duplicity. On her return, when challenged she says that she knew he would react like this which was why she did not tell him. Whilst Henry is expecting her for another job next week Gemma tells Chesney that she will not be doing any more for Newton and Ridley.
Bernie is trying to use her spiritual skills to ease Paul's problems - and maybe the positive energy is having some benefits. She cannot source a Himalayan Gong but was offered the use of Ken's bells! However she has a recording and when she turns it on it almost works as an enema! Bernie tells him to bathe in the sound. However Paul is able to talk to Bernie and how she will be suffering now and in the short term - but eventually she knows he will be free and she needs to accept that side as well. Paul also says that he would want no other mum and that Kel was to blame - not Bernie. Bernie responds by telling him how strong he is and they hug.
Tonight I felt the stories chugged along - touching moment between Bernie and Apollo whilst the Rovers crew go from failing to support the darts night to overkill to keep things going. Are Jenny's days as mein host at the Rovers coming to an end? If so will Jenny depart. In terms of character returns she has been a huge success and I hope the writing is not on the wall.
Oh and I cannot resist! As I write this Southampton are where I hope they will be at the other end of the season - top of the Championship!
Written by Julie Jones and Chris Fewtrell. Directed by Joshua Reeves and Duncan Foster.
Kosmo
Written by Julie Jones and Chris Fewtrell. Directed by Joshua Reeves and Duncan Foster.
Kosmo
